Vacuum cleaning tool



June 28, 1955 D. I. DOYLE, SR 2,711,554

VACUUM CLEANING TOOL Filed Aug. 10, 1949 INVENTOR. Dewey flay/e, 6/:

ATTORNEK United States Patent VACUUM CLEANING TOOL Dewey I. Doyle, Sr., Grand Rapids, Mich., assignor to Doyle Vacuum Cleaner Company, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Application August 10, 1949, Serial No. 109,542

2 Claims. (Cl. 15-419) This invention relates to improvements in vacuum cleaning tool.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a vacuum cleaning tool which is well adapted and highly efficient for the cleaning of display bins, shelves and the merchandise which may be displayed therein without removing the merchandise from the bin or shelf.

Second, to provide a tool of this character which may be very easily and rapidly manipulated.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a suction cleaner tool embodying my invention, a portion of the head being broken away to show structuraldetails and a fragment of a suction conduit being conventionally illustrated.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view mainly in longitudinal section on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. 3 with the valve shown in open position by full lines and in closed position. by dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a view mainly in transverse section on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. l with the valve in closed position.

Fig. 4 is a face or bottom view with the brush removed.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated comprises the suction head 1 provided with a tubular shank 2 adapted to receive a flexible suction conduit 3. The head is provided at its front end with a laterally facing inlet opening 4, the front end of the head being vertically tapered and having walls of general spherical curvature as shown at 5. The "portion 6 of the wall defining the inlet opening 4 is disposed in a slightly rearwardly incline angular relation to the axis of the head.

The wall portion 6 is provided with an internal annular groove 7, the inner edge of which constitutes a supporting seat for the work guard screen or grid 8. The grid or screen 8 is in the assembly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 retained by means of the brush 9 which has snap-in engagement with the groove 6 as is shown, the body of the brush being of a springable metal and split to permit its being collapsed to be engaged in the groove or to be removed therefrom. The bristles 10 of the brush are arranged in an annular form and they are sufficiently stiff to move somewhat small articles of merchandise over which the cleaner is passed, for example such merchandise as is commonly displayed in bins or receptacles. The vacuum required to do an effective cleaning under such conditions is sufiicient to pick up many such objects, and the guard screen prevents their passing into the conduit.

To break the suction at the inlet at such intervals or on such occasions as may be desirable I provide a valve 11 desirably of the flat disc flap type and having an ear 12 at its upper edge, the head having an internal recess 13 receiving this car and permitting its engagement by the valve stem or pivot 14 which is disposed transversely through the wall of the head. The head is provided with a forwardly facing valve stop seat 15 for supporting the valve in closed position. The suction acts to hold the valve on its seat. It should be understood that a complete sealing is not required but the suction must be cut off to permit releasing the articles that may be drawn against the screen.

The pivot or valve stem 14 is provided with a hand piece extension 16 which extends over the head for convenient manipulation by the hand grasping the head.

The head is provided with a notch-like keeper 17 with which the hand piece 16 may be springably engaged to retain the valve in open position.

There are various conditions in which the brush is not required and when the brush is not used I provide a split or snap ring 18 which is springably engaged in the end of the groove 7 for retaining the guard screen.

With this arrangement of parts a bin or shelf and the articles thereon may be effectively cleaned without removing them from the bin. While the wall defining the inlet opening of the head is circular the corners of bins and the like may be effectively cleaned presenting the head in tilted relation to the corner.

It is desirable to use quite a high degree of vacuum for rapid and effective cleaning. There are no obstructions in the head to prevent the free flow of air, lint and the like which is picked up. The wall defining the suction opening is slightly inclined to facilitate its use and proper presentation to the work. Where the brush is not used the suction head may be manipulated to plow through the work thereby turning it and facilitating the effective cleaning thereof and of the bin.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical commercial embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to describe various embodiments or adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A vacuum cleaning tool adapted for cleaning relatively small bins enclosed on all sides, comprising a generally tubular elongated suction head provided with an inlet opening positioned laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of said head, the plane of the edge of the wall defining the opening being inclined with respect to said axis, a valve swingably mounted within said head and movable to open and closed positions, an actuating am having a'portion thereof connected to said valve and journaled in said head for rotation to swing said valve, the remainder of said arm being reversely bent to overhang closely the wall of said head, and a detent integral with said wall adjacent said reversely bent portion of said arm with which said arm may be releasably engaged to maintain the valve in open position.

2. A vacuum cleaning tool adapted for cleaning relatively small bins enclosed on all sides, comprising a suction head, a tubular shank at one end of said head adapted to receive a suction conduit, an inlet opening in said head positioned laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of said shank, the plane of the edge of the wall defining said opening being inclined with respect to said axis, a valve swingably mounted within said head and movable to open and closed positions, an actuating arm having a portion thereof connected to said valve and journaled in said head for rotation to swing said valve, the remainder of said arm being reversely bent to overhang closely the wall of said head adjacent the junction thereof with said shank, said last named wall having an inclined surface adjacent the reversely bent portion of said arm, and a detent formed 3 in said inclined surface with which said arm may be 1,994,871 releasabiy engaged to maintain the valve in open position. 2,016,294 2,203,088 References Cited in the file of this patent 2,272,960

UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 919,043 Lloyd Apr. 20, 1909 178,760 1,651,894 Kent et a1 Dec. 6, 1927 362,298

41 Replogle Mar. 19, 1935 Replogle Oct. 8, 1935 Hansson June 4, 1940 Young Feb. 10, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Nov. 23, 1906 France Apr. 2, 1906 

